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Deal Would Deny Hotel Tax Break

Associated Press

Updated: 4 years ago.

A spokesman says Gov. Nathan Deal would deny a tax break to a planned convention hotel on Jekyll Island because it would be unfair to competing hotels. Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said Tuesday the governor has given plenty of support to the island state park, where Georgia taxpayers have invested $50 million to build a new convention center and beachfront park. Robinson said subsidizing a hotel would be 'a step further than we could go.' ( GPB photo)

A spokesman says Gov. Nathan Deal would deny a tax break to a planned convention hotel on Jekyll Island because it would be unfair to competing hotels.

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said Tuesday the governor has given plenty of support to the island state park, where Georgia taxpayers have invested $50 million to build a new convention center and beachfront park. Robinson said subsidizing a hotel would be "a step further than we could go."

Jekyll Island officials say they're losing convention groups because the developer of a 200-room Westin can't get financing to start construction. The developer tried to secure its loan by promising $8.5 million from a tourism tax break Deal signed last year. But the tax refund remains unavailable to businesses 16 months later.